Prizes and Associate Awards

• The winners in each category will be awarded with $3,500 USD as a top prize.
• A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen.
• A weekend course at Hand & Lock.
• A years complimentary membership of The Textile Institute.
• A prize bundle of industry standard threads from Madeira.

• A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen.
• A weekend course at Hand & Lock.

Third Prize

• A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen.
• A weekend course at Hand & Lock.

With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Joel and Son Fabrics has evolved into a global retailer of exquisite textiles. Renowned as ‘the biggest couture fabric store in England,’ their establishment is a treasure trove of premium fabrics sourced from around the world. Founded by Joel and now passed onto his son Gary, alongside his own son, Coby, who is also involved in the running of the business, the family-run operation is deeply rooted in tradition and dedication to quality.

Their extensive inventory boasts high-end materials from renowned designers such as Swarovski, Elie Saab, Versace, Liberty, and Valentino. Beyond these esteemed brands, they offer a diverse selection of printed cottons, silks, satins and much more. From men’s suiting fabrics to African dress-wear textiles, beaded fabrics to denims and jerseys, their collection caters to every fashion need.

As pioneers in the textile industry, they remain committed to delivering the highest quality products and upholding the standards of excellence that have defined them for decades. Joel and Son Fabrics continues to be a destination of choice for designers, couturiers, and creatives worldwide.

Joel and Son Fabrics will be looking for the best use of fabric and materiality whilst incorporating excellence. They will also be looking at whether the embroidery piece  has responded well to the brief given for the Prize for Embroidery whilst using innovative traditional hand embroidery and processes too.

Award

The winner of the Joel and Son Fabrics Association Award for the “best use of fabric and materiality whilst incorporating excellence” will win a £1,000 worth of materials of their choice.

The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) has been an international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery since 1872. Based in Hampton Court Palace, they offer a range of hand embroidery courses for beginners through to advanced, across all techniques, both Online and at Hampton Court Palace, Bristol, Rugby, Durham, Glasgow and internationally in the USA and Japan.

The RSN Embroidery Studio creates beautiful bespoke commissions for fashion, art and royalty, as well as restores and conserves historical textiles. The Studio was honoured to work on several pieces for the Coronation of HM King Charles III, including the conservation of The King’s Robe of State and the stunning hand embroidery on Queen Camilla’s Robe of Estate.

The RSN award is only open to entrants in the Student categories. Given RSN students are able to enter the Prize, to avoid bias this award will be chosen by an independent expert judge. The judge will be looking for a close observance of the brief, an innovative use of traditional hand embroidery processes, technical excellence, clear (mentor led) development from the second round to the final. Please note: Embellishment in the form of beads, sequins, buttons etc. must not make up more than 25% of the final design. At the 1st stage submission, you will need to check this criteria and confirm that your entry is eligible for this award.

Award

The winner of the Royal School of Needlework Associate Award for Innovation and Technical Excellence in Hand Embroidery will receive £1000 and an RSN Online or Onsite Day or Evening Class up to £150.

The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (GSWD) provides a link to the modern usage of gold and silver wire and thread by offering grants and donations to worthy causes connected to the arts and the use of gold and silver wire skills.

The RSN Embroidery Studio creates beautiful bespoke commissions for fashion, art and royalty, as well as restores and conserves historical textiles. The Studio was honoured to work on several pieces for the Coronation of HM King Charles III, including the conservation of The King’s Robe of State and the stunning hand embroidery on Queen Camilla’s Robe of Estate.

The GSWD will present their award to the entrant who demonstrates the best use of the goldwork embroidery technique. Due to the charity status of the GSWD this particular award is only available to Student category registrations.

Award

The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers will award £1000 to the entry with the best use of the ancient embroidery technique of goldwork.

Global digital embroidery pioneers, Wilcom have been a leading provider of innovative, machine embroidery solutions for over 40 years. Their popular EmbroideryStudio e4 suite software enables embroidery designers, artists and students to push their creative limits creating advanced designs with full professional control.

To qualify for consideration for The Wilcom Award for Digital Embroidery you must have incorporated digital machine embroidery into all or at least half of your submission. Wilcom will select one winner from the Fashion Category and one winner from the Textile Category, regardless of Student/Open status.

Award

The winners of the Wilcom award will each receive 12 months access to Wilcom embroidery studio design including support and training videos

The Worshipful Company of Broderers has existed since the 13th century and was formed to promote and protect the fine art of embroidery. Now a registered charity, they encourage excellence by supporting the emergence of new embroidery designers through competitions, awards and prizes.

In light of this, the entry that best demonstrates good skill and clever use of hand embroidery techniques will have the honour of bringing home an award from this ancient brotherhood. Due to the charity status of the Broderers Guild this particular award is only available to Student category registrations.

Award

A total of £1000 will be generously awarded to the entry that wins first place of The Worshipful Company of Broderers category in Hand & Lock’s 2024 Prize.

The Design Trust is the online business school for designers, makers & other creative professionals. Established in 1994 in London it now provides practical professional and business development courses and membership for creatives who want to start or run their own business across the UK and the globe.

If you become a finalist of the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery you will automatically benefit from The Design Trust business skills.

Award

All Finalists will get invited to an online pre-meet with all the other finalists and a marketing event on how to make the most of becoming a Prize Finalist.